11 simple and delicious recipes for the campfire with kids (also for groups)

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👉 The key facts from this guide

"I'm huuungry!" – Do you know that too?

There you sit comfortably by the campfire, and suddenly the children turn into little bears on a food hunt.

After many years as a wilderness educator, I know this scenario all too well. From charred marshmallows to potatoes as hard as golf balls - I have gone through all the fire mishaps and discovered the truly effective tricks.

In this guide, I will show you 11 recipes that are so easy that they are guaranteed to succeed.

Recipes where the kids don't run away after 5 minutes and you are left with eight half-finished breadsticks.

Grab your gear and let's discover the magic of campfire cooking together - completely stress-free, with plenty of fun and guaranteed to satisfy your hunger!

8 Hearty Campfire Recipes - Easy and Quick for Kids' Groups

When the stomach growls like a hungry wolf and the kids start nibbling on branches, it's time for our hearty treats.

From experience, I know: Hungry children are like little volcanoes - they can erupt at any moment! Here come my tried-and-true recipes that can tame the hunger.

In preparing these hearty dishes, children have the opportunity to actively participate and express their creativity.

I have specifically selected simple recipes that require little preparation and are also easy for children to make.

1. Bread by the campfire, on the grill, or in the embers – Forget about stick bread!

"But stick bread belongs to the campfire!" I can already hear you shouting. I'm sorry, but after many campfire events, I have become a stick bread rebel.

Why? Because I was tired of standing like a juggler with eight half-finished sticks while the children were already collecting bugs or exploring trees.

Instead, I'll share my secret tip with you: Prepare a simple dough with yeast or take the turbo route like I do with baking powder, flour, salt, and water.

You simply place the bread on the grill rack or in the embers. After about 10–15 minutes, you have a crispy bread with that unmistakable smoky aroma, which tastes better than at the most expensive bakery. And the best part? You have both hands free for a camp coffee!

2. Corn on the Cob - The Golden Treasures from the Embers

Do you know those moments when the kids ask "Is it almost done?" and you respond for the hundredth time "Almost!"?

This is exactly why I pre-cook my corn on the cob! Because let's be honest: Waiting an hour for a corn on the cob feels like an expedition to Mars for kids.

With pre-cooked cobs, you only need 5–10 minutes in the embers, and the golden treasures are right in front of you. A little salt on top (or butter, if you live like I do), and all you hear is the delightful "Mmmmh!" from all sides.

Pro tip: Wrap the pistons in aluminum foil - this keeps your fingers clean and the kids can start eating right away. After all, they have already spent a tiring day collecting sticks and saving worms!

3. Potatoes from the Embers - The Survival Trick for Hungry Packs

As a wilderness educator, I have learned one thing: Waiting children are like a swarm of hungry piranhas - you would rather not keep them waiting too long!

That's why I pre-cook the potatoes. It may not sound like Bear Grylls, but hey - we want to have fun here, not survive.

You don't need to wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil - just put them in the embers. After 5 minutes, you'll have perfect, hot potatoes. Serve them with butter, salt, herbs, or quark - just as your outdoor gourmet heart desires.

4. Sausages on a Skewer - The Timeless Classic

Admittedly, sausages on a skewer are as classic as a tent while camping.

But I have a few tricks up my sleeve: Cut the sausages crosswise at the ends - then they become nice and crispy and look like little octopuses. The kids love that!

My secret tip: Wrap the sausages in thin bread dough. Let's call it "Sausages in a sleeping bag".

That's not only funny, but also damn delicious. And it keeps the kids occupied longer than "holding a stick in the fire and hoping it doesn't fall down".

5. Colorful Vegetable Skewers - Yes, children eat vegetables too!

Don't worry, I can already hear the collective groan: "Not vegetables!" But wait - these skewers are the secret star at the campfire.

Why? Because you let the children create their own vegetable artwork. It's like Lego, only you can eat it later!

Paprika, zucchini, mushrooms - let the kids choose and skewer themselves.

My tip from practice: Make a little competition out of it - "Who builds the most colorful skewer?" Suddenly, vegetables are cool, and you stand there like the hero of the evening because you secretly smuggled vitamins into the campfire menu.

6. Hotdogs - The Quick Filler for Impatient Explorers

As a wilderness educator, I know: Sometimes you just have to be quick. Hot dogs are my secret super weapon when 20 kids shout "Hungry!" at the same time and you can't exactly whip up a three-course meal.

Grill the sausages and toast the rolls briefly over the fire (Pro tip: A grill grate is your best friend - no loss of sausages in the embers!).

Then comes the creative part: Let the kids top their hot dogs themselves. I call it "The Hot Dog Lab." With ketchup, mustard, fried onions, and pickles, they can create their own creations.

7. Campfire Nachos - The Secret Feast

Now it gets really wild - Nachos by the campfire! Sounds crazy? It is, but in the best way. This is my insider tip for the "wow effect" with the kids.

Take a large piece of aluminum foil (think of a miniature surfboard), pile tortilla chips on top, then cheese and cooked ground beef over it (of course, you have prepared that).

Then fold the edges up like a miniature inflatable boat - nothing should be lost from your Mexican gold treasure! Into the embers with it, and after 5 minutes you have a dish that the kids won't forget anytime soon.

Tip from the pro: Prepare several small portions instead of one large one - this way there are fewer "But that's mine!" discussions.

8. Baked Eggs - The Breakfast Experiment

Okay, this is my crazy science act!

Baked eggs over the campfire are like a mix between breakfast and chemistry class. But beware: Without the right trick, you'll quickly have an egg firework!

Here comes the important part (which I learned the hard way): Carefully poke a small hole in the eggs with a needle. Otherwise… BOOM!

And believe me, exploding eggs are spectacular, but not what you want to experience around the campfire.

Carefully place the prepared eggs in the embers (with the hole facing up) and wait for about 10 minutes. The kids will love it because it feels like a treasure hunt - only that the treasure at the end is a perfectly cooked egg.

Bonus: You are guaranteed to get the attention of all children when you talk about "exploding eggs"!

3 Sweet Campfire Recipes - When the Forest Calls for a Simple Dessert

The moment when the sun sets and the first stars appear in the sky is pure magic. The owls awaken, the crickets chirp their evening song, and the children - well, they suddenly develop a mysterious hunger for something sweet.

But hey, who am I to contradict nature? After all, our ancestors were already searching for energy-rich treats. They just didn't have marshmallows back then... Lucky for us, we have a few modern tricks up our sleeves!

These desserts are my tried-and-true companions for magical moments around the campfire. They are not only incredibly delicious, but they also teach the kids something about patience, teamwork, and the art of perfect timing - skills that every woodsman should master.

1. Marshmallows - The Modern Version of Honey Gathering

Okay, I admit it: Marshmallows are not exactly traditional wilderness food. But you know what? Our ancestors were also crazy about sweets - they even risked bee stings for some honey! So let's treat the kids to this modern delicacy.

The trick to the perfect marshmallow is like tracking: patience and careful observation. Don't hold them directly in the flames - that leads to charred aliens.

Instead, find a quiet spot above the embers, about as high as a squirrel's jump. Slowly turn the marshmallow like a compass in a circle until it is golden brown like autumn leaves.

Wilderness hack: Collect long sticks beforehand and sharpen them - and you'll add another carving session to it.

2. Popcorn - The Drumfire in the Pan

This recipe is my absolute insider tip for wilderness groups. Since my boys were small, a small pot (the Primus Trek Pot Set) has been part of my standard equipment - right next to the knife and fire steel.

The exciting part: The popping corn kernels sound like a little drum concert in the forest. I always tell the kids that we are making the forest spirits dance.

A little oil in the pan, corn kernels in, lid on, and wait a moment.

Wilderness Wisdom: Move the pan like when panning for gold - circular movements prevent burning. When the drumming stops, your forest treasure is ready.

PS: You add salt at the end, sugar already in the pot.

3. Banana Boat - The Jungle Delicacy

The genius of it: You don't need aluminum foil - nature has already perfectly packaged the banana.

Cut the banana lengthwise like a tree trunk that a woodpecker has pecked. Push a few chocolate chips into the "bark" - but don't overdo it, or it will be too sweet. I take 3–4 pieces.

Carefully place them in the embers. After about 8–10 minutes (or the time it takes you to tell the kids about three forest adventures), you will have a dessert that will elicit a amazed "Wow!" even from spoiled city kids.

The only downside here: You have to take spoons into the woods - otherwise it will be difficult to eat this treat.

What you will NOT find here - and why

You may be wondering why classic campfire recipes like stick bread or Dutch oven dishes are missing here?

I'm being completely honest: Not everything that is advertised on the internet as a "perfect campfire recipe" actually works well with groups of children.

• Campfire bread? Sounds romantic, but let's be honest: After 5 minutes, you're usually standing alone by the fire, surrounded by abandoned sticks, while the kids are already playing tag.
• The Dutch Oven is a great thing - for relaxed adult evenings. But waiting one to two hours for a bean stew? You'll lose the kids faster than a squirrel loses its nuts.
• Popular Pinterest recipes like stuffed peppers, onion soup with garlic cloves, or homemade pizza dough sound great - but in practice, they're as complicated with kids as teaching a wolf to swim.

The recipes in this guide are all:

• Ready in a maximum of 20 minutes (because children's hunger does not tolerate delay)
• Feasible with few ingredients (you're not a wandering supermarket)
• Also doable with 10–15 children (without you losing your mind)
• Guaranteed to be successful (nothing is more frustrating than burnt food)

Because in the end, it's not about creating a five-course meal, but about having fun together and getting something delicious in your belly along the way.

Experience Campfire

Do you know, after many years as a wilderness educator, I am sure of one thing: A campfire is like an ancient television - only much better.

Instead of staring at a screen, we gaze into the dancing flames that have fascinated our ancestors.

The Magic of Open Fire

Fact is: The campfire has a special allure that brings people together and creates unforgettable memories.

The warmth of the fire, the crackling of the logs, and the scent of freshly grilled treats create a unique atmosphere. Children and adults sit around the fire, sharing stories and enjoying delicious campfire recipes.

These magical moments strengthen the community and make the worries of everyday life forgotten, while the light of the fire drives away the darkness.

Safety Tips for Campfires with Children

Campfire safety is especially important, particularly when children are present.

• Make sure that the fire is always at a safe distance from tents and other flammable materials.
• Explain to the children how to move safely around the campfire and that they should never tend to the fire without supervision.
• Only wood belongs in the campfire, not trash.

A well-prepared space where children can experience food preparation in a safe environment helps ensure that the day remains carefree and full of joy.

Tips for Campfire Cooking

The Art of Embers - The Heart of Campfire Cooking

The perfect embers are like a well-coordinated wolf pack - they work as a team and distribute the heat evenly. Cooking over open flames is like fishing in a storm - it looks spectacular but rarely yields good results.

My wilderness tip: Divide your fire into zones like an animal its territory:

• The "Flame Zone" for atmosphere and stories
• The "Ember Zone" for cooking
• The "Ash Zone" for gentle warming

The right preparation

Pack all necessary ingredients and utensils in a sturdy cooler (if needed) or a backpack so that everything is within reach.

Think of the different campfire recipes you want to try and bring the appropriate spices.

An old trapper once told me: "Preparation is half the meal." Pack your backpack like a squirrel in its winter supply - systematically and thoughtfully:

• An old pan or pot if you need it
• Basic spices in waterproof containers
• Tinder, firewood, and fire starters, such as a fire steel or matches

Fact is: Perfect planning ensures that cooking over the campfire goes smoothly and everyone can enjoy the food to the fullest.

The Significance of the Ember

The embers of the campfire are essential for preparing many delicious dishes. And no, bread, sausages, or corn on the cob are not made over an open flame.

The embers provide an even heat that allows for cooking foods like potatoes in aluminum foil or corn on the cob. Additionally, the food does not burn as quickly due to the embers, and you won't have any health-damaging soot on the food.

Leave No Trace - The Respect for Wilderness

At the end of the trip, the golden rule of the wilderness applies: Leave the place as a deer would like to find it.

This means:

• Let the embers cool completely or extinguish them with water to ensure there is no fire hazard.
• Make sure that all food scraps and waste are disposed of properly to protect nature - and not attract animals.
• A clean place promotes respectful coexistence and paves the way for the next campfire, where the best recipes can be prepared again.

A final word to the fire

Do you know what the best thing about a campfire is? It connects us - with nature, with each other, and with something ancient within ourselves.

When you sit by the fire next time, the stars twinkling above you and the forest singing its night songs, then you know: Here is your home, here is where you belong.

So pack your backpack, take the kids outside, and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of fire. Because every meal around the campfire tells its own story - and the best stories are the ones we experience together.